Moving from McAllen, TX to Birmingham, AL
It is 1015 mi between McAllen and Birmingham — roughly 18h 53m of driving, plus rest stops and overnight, through 4 state(s). A long-haul move crosses climate zones and usually state-income-tax lines. This page assembles the federal and Zillow data into a side-by-side comparison so the differences are easy to scan.
1015 mi · 18h 53m by car · AL → MS → LA → TX
Distance & route
| Route through | AL → MS → LA → TX |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 59, I 10, I 20 |
| Major cities en route | Tuscaloosa, New Orleans, Beaumont, Pasadena, League City |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| McAllen | Birmingham | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 85.895 | 91.644 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 81.186 | 83.803 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.757 | 96.397 | 100.0 |
| Services | 55.892 | 71.851 | 100.0 |
Overall prices come in 6.7% above McAllen — 85.895 → 91.644 on the BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
6.7% drop on the typical home value — a meaningful shift in monthly mortgage math.
YoY change: McAllen +0.4%, Birmingham -2.5%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | McAllen | Birmingham |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 76°F | 64°F |
| January avg low | 49°F | 35°F |
| July avg high | 98°F | 91°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.1" | 1.4" |
| Annual precipitation | 18.7" | 56.6" |
Annual temperature drops 11.6°F moving to Birmingham per NOAA normals.
Light snow year: Birmingham gets around 1.4 in annually.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: MCALLEN, TX US, BIRMINGHAM AP, AL US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | McAllen | Birmingham |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 143,789 | 199,322 |
| Median household income | $60,165 | $44,376 |
| Median age | 34 | 35.9 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 20.3% | 18.4% |
| Avg household size | 2.98 | 2.25 |
Birmingham households earn about 6.7% less than McAllen at the median — $60,165 → $44,376 on ACS 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Birmingham MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 63,490 | $39,630 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 51,190 | $38,000 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 51,120 | $34,760 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 41,990 | $26,920 |
| Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations | 41,870 | $64,700 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Texas and Alabama
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Alabama's DMV for the current deadline to transfer driver license and vehicle registration after establishing residency. Consult a tax professional for your specific filing situation — state tax treatment depends on residency, sourcing, and reciprocity agreements.
Best time to move
Moving companies typically charge 20–30% more between Memorial Day and Labor Day (peak season). October through April offers the lowest rates and better mover availability.
To avoid mid-semester school transfers, most U.S. families schedule moves between mid-June and mid-August. Public school calendars typically run late August or early September through late May or early June.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in Birmingham average 91°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- Pack rain gear on top: Birmingham averages 56.6 in of annual precipitation — waterproof jackets and boots are worth unpacking before the big boxes.
- You are moving to a noticeably colder climate (11.6°F lower annual average). Thermal layers, insulated boots, and a heavier winter coat should ride in the car, not the truck.
- Hurricane season runs June through November on the Gulf Coast.
- Arrange utility connection (power, internet, gas, water) two weeks ahead of move-in.
- Update mailing address with USPS change-of-address within the first week post-move.
- Register to vote in Alabama after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How far is Birmingham, AL from McAllen, TX?
The driving distance is 1015 mi and the route typically takes 18h 53m via I 59 and I 10. The trip crosses 4 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from McAllen to Birmingham?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1015 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
What is the climate difference between McAllen and Birmingham?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 63.9°F in Birmingham vs 75.5°F in McAllen (11.6°F colder). Annual snowfall: 1.4 in vs 0.1 in. Annual precipitation: 56.6 in vs 18.7 in.
Is Birmingham more expensive than McAllen?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Birmingham is 6.7% higher than McAllen (91.644 vs 85.895, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does the job market in Birmingham compare to McAllen?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $44,830 in the Birmingham MSA vs $32,550 in the McAllen MSA, on total employment of 509,200 and 285,850 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How does household income compare in McAllen vs Birmingham?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $44,376 in Birmingham vs $60,165 in McAllen — a 26.2% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in Birmingham compared to McAllen?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $135,870 in Birmingham vs $229,001 in McAllen — a 40.7% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from McAllen.
City profiles: McAllen, TX · Birmingham, AL.